Latest News
Beware websites sharing fake news on super preservation age
The ATO is warning the community about a “proliferation of dodgy websites sharing fake news about changes to the superannuation preservation rules and withdrawal rules starting on 1 June.” ATO Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig confirmed the maximum preservation age (the age when an individual can access their superannuation savings on retirement) is 60 for anyone […]
$20,000 instant asset write-off for 2024/25
Taxpayers who have purchased or are purchasing a business asset this financial year should remember that the instant asset write-off limit is $20,000 for the 2025 income year. If a taxpayer’s business has an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million and they use the simplified depreciation rules, they may be able to use […]
Partial release from tax debt on serious hardship grounds
In a recent decision, the Administrative Review Tribunal (‘ART’) held that a taxpayer should be released from payment of part of his tax debt on the grounds of serious hardship. As at the 2022 income year, the taxpayer had an accumulated tax debt of approximately $528,000, comprising income tax, late lodgment penalties, PAYG instalments, and […]
Taxi service and ride-sourcing providers must be registered
Taxpayers that provide taxi, limousine or ride-sourcing services must register for GST regardless of their turnover. They must collect and pay GST and income tax on all their rides and all other business income. The ATO is advising drivers in this industry who do not have a TFN, ABN or GST registration that they need […]
Getting ready for business
The ATO advises new business owners that they need to understand their obligations to ensure they are “getting it right from the start.” These are the ‘top 7 things’ taxpayers need to know when starting a business. They should use digital tools and maintain accurate records to help them manage daily activities and cash flow. […]
‘Wild’ tax deduction attempts
The ATO recently revealed some of the ‘wild’ work related expense tax claims people have tried to “put past” the ATO, including the following: A mechanic tried to claim an air fryer, microwave, two vacuum cleaners, a TV, gaming console and gaming accessories as work-related. The claim was denied as these expenses are personal in […]
Using The Equity In Your Home To Purchase An Investment Property
If you are already repaying your own home or another investment property, you may be able to use the equity you have built up to purchase an additional property. Let’s use an example to explain this process. Your lender is going to require that the loan amount is less than 80% of the value of […]
5 smart things to do with your tax refund.
For many people, their tax refund is treated like a mini lottery win. This tax time, consider putting your “gift” from the ATO to good use and silencing the part of you that wants to fritter it away on things that expire. 1 – Put it into your super Remember the 70-year-old you gets better […]
What is your “total superannuation balance” and why does it matter?
Recent superannuation reforms introduced a concept of “total superannuation balance”, which on the surface may give the simple impression that it is the sum of the balances of a person’s superannuation interests. However, this is not the case. What is the total balance relevant for? The total superannuation balance is relevant in determining a super […]
What the Proposed Housing-Based Super Contribution Initiatives Offer
After waiting for what seems like an eternity, the government has finally put to Parliament its draft legislation around two of its schemes. The proposed schemes, the First Home Super Saver and Contributing the proceeds of downsizing to superannuation, are both pieces of legislation that are an attempt to bring into action proposals from the […]
Life Policy Bonuses and Tax
When a life insurance policy has been held by a taxpayer for 10 years or longer, reversionary bonuses received on that policy are generally tax-free. For policies held for less than 10 years, stipulated amounts are included in the taxpayer’s assessable income, and a tax offset is available. A bonus is not assessable income if […]
Child Death Benefit Recipients and the Transfer Balance Cap
The death of a parent is hard on all those involved, however once the grieving has eased, a time comes to address financial matters. One of these issues can be what happens to any superannuation they have left. Making things harder is the fact that the new transfer balance cap (TBC) brought in as of […]